Sherborne Sensors,
a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of
sensors for military, aerospace and industrial applications,
has announced that its DSIC
inclinometers and A323 accelerometers are being used to provide
highly-accurate, geo-reference position data as part of an innovative
automated mineshaft inspection technology. Based on LiDAR, (Light
Detection and Ranging) technology and high-resolution photography,
the Mobile Shaft Scanning System (MS3) being developed by Canadas
Sight Power Inc. combines three core elements  Lasers,
Global Positioning
System (GPS), and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS)  promising
substantial savings and improvements in safety.

The conventional
mineshaft inspection procedure is to lower engineers down the
shaft in an elevator at a speed below 1m/sec. However, with the
MS3 system, the laser scanning device will be attached to the
elevator and move up and down the shaft at speeds that enable
quick and unobtrusive shaft scanning. Because GPS is not available
underground, Sherborne Sensors DSIC high-precision inclinometers
will measure the amount of roll and pitch of the carriers to
give an indication of whether or not the movement down the shaft
is well controlled. Meanwhile, the A323 accelerometers will measure
the
performance of the carriers with respect to vibration and acceleration
during normal operation as well as during inspection cycles.

LiDAR systems
are ideal for mineshaft inspection, because the typical distance
from the scanning device to objects within the shaft barrel is
only 3-4 metres, says Sight Powers CEO and CTO, Borys
Vorobyov. But without GPS, a variety of positional aids
are required to assist the INS, including inertial sensors such
as accelerometers and
inclinometers. We compared products from a number of suppliers
and the consensus was that Sherborne Sensors provided the best
match for accuracy, price and reputation.

MS3 is capable
of acquiring billions of data points to produce a realistic 3D
image of an entire shaft with all internal infrastructures, (construction
elements). Known as a Digital Spatial 3D model, the
image can then be imported into a computer-aided design (CAD)
software package for analysis. During the laboratory test phase,
Sherbornes inertial sensors assisted in mapping and characterising
the horizontal test setup performance, as well as indicating
any flex, twist and tilt in the MS3 mechanical housing system.
The inertial sensors are also being employed to characterise
and understand the mineshaft environment, so that the Sight Power
team can refine the MS3 system and its design for optimal accuracy
and reliability.

Our gravity
referenced servo inclinometers and accelerometers are very robust,
extremely accurate and field-proven, says Sherborne Sensors
Jesse Bonfeld, Vice President of Business Development. Their
dynamic range means that their output is more conducive to the
volume of data required and integrates seamlessly into the MS3
data acquisition system. The fact that these inertial sensors
are temperature compensated was also a key factor in ensuring
accuracy of results, because the temperature varies dramatically
as you travel along the length of a mine shaft.

In the future,
Sight Power aims to determine whether using clusters of accurate
but lower cost sensors such as inclinometers and accelerometers
can eliminate the requirement for the INS, which would lower
the overall cost of the MS3 system. Sherborne Sensors can
customise all of its inertial sensors and manufacture to comply
with specific customer requirements within its AS9100C Quality
Management System. In addition, all Sherborne Sensors products
come with an industry exclusive two-year comprehensive warranty,
guaranteed On-Time Delivery programme and are meticulously tested
and calibrated to
international standards prior to shipment.

About Sherborne Sensors:
Sherborne Sensors is a global leader in the design, manufacture
and supply of high-precision inclinometers, accelerometers, force
transducers and load cells, rotary encoders, instrumentation
and accessories for industrial, military and aerospace customers.
Products offered under the Sherborne Sensors brand are renowned
for their ultra-reliability and long-life precision within critical
applications. Recent acquisition of synergistic technologies
by Sherborne Sensors within our inclinometer and force and load
cell offerings has allowed customers to benefit from expanded
product lines, with added benefits of engineering support, global
sales presence, repair, refurbishment and calibration services,
stocking programs, and continuous product improvement.